Flare Up

This week we've had a reminder that Rhonda is still going through a recovery that has ups and downs. After getting out a bit more last week, Rhonda has experienced a flare up. Her headaches have come back and her legs are bothering her more. It probably doesn't help that we're in the midst of a busy, stressful times (I'm going to Eastern Europe this Sunday and the kids have quite a few activities). Fortunately, my parents will be here this Friday to help. Overall, we continue to realize that the healing battle is fare from over. Thanks for your prayers.

Steady gains

Wow, it's hard to believe it's been almost two weeks since I last blogged. You can take it as a sign that we're steadily moving back into life. Rhonda continues to make steady strides in her recovery. She even shared in Sunday School and MOPS this past week all that God has taught her during her illness. Hopefully, she'll be up for blogging some of her thoughts.

She still has to take breaks, but she's able to do more. She's driving regularly, taking trips to the store (although I'm still on grocery duty), doing laundry, preparing some of our weekly meals, and taking care of the kids. We still greatly appreciate a meal or two during the week and some help with cleaning that allows Rhonda to gradually ease back into life. Everyone's spirits are up.

You can pray for a couple things. I'm going to be taking my final planned research trip to Europe during the first part of May. My parents will be down to help Rhonda with the boys. In addition, summer will place some new demands upon Rhonda, so we pray that it will not become an increased time of stress. Again, thanks for your prayers.

Some more firsts

I realize it's been a while since we last blogged. I guess you could say it's a sign that our emotional stress is lessening, and we're picking back up with some of the business of life. We continue to enjoy numerous firsts. Rhonda attended a Baylor baseball game this weekend as well as Sunday School and part of a worship service. We also saw Horton Hears a Who in the theatres (we'd recommend it). It was our first ever movie together as a family. She also had lunch with Bennett at school, took the boys to the dentist office and Bennett to a doctors appointment. As you can tell the added fun and driving helps lift everyone's spirits.
The fact that her eye problems and headache problems are diminishing helps a bunch. Rhonda still pays for the increased activity (especially with pain in her legs), but she is able to receive relief with rest and Extra Strength Tylenol. Overall, we thank the Lord for the progress we've seen. We're certainly not back to normal, but it's nice to taste moments of fun and normalacy.

Perservering

Perry says it is my turn to write and in that I find myself not knowing how and what to say. The last few weeks I have started to reenter life and with that have come lots of emotions. I have been overwhelmed, teary, joyful and even speechless in wondering how to to talk to people. Many have said "You look so good" and somehow the only thing I can muster is " I am glad the outside looks good". How do I respond to "How are you?" In the midst of all this, I am so thankful for my progress and especially for the ability to do things more as a family. That is such a blessing!

The part that is hard is that I find myself mentally ready to move on but my body is not ready. Last week I made the decision to go to Cody's Easter party at school. He was so excited! I felt like I could handle it. In combination with usual things at home my body did not like the increase in activity. The last four days I have spent a lot more time in bed and had a lot more pain and weakness in my legs. Unfortunately this means I am not sleeping that great either. I am constantly praying for wisdom to know how much I can do because my body doesn't always give me enough warning. It is during these times when I get my little journal out and I read all the quotes I wrote down from books and scriptures that God has given me. Then I pray and I pray for perserverance.

"Perserverance is how we cling within the grasp of God. It is waiting, it is staying and standing even without visible results... The Light offers constant pep talks that help us to persevere.
Hope causes you to have courage to claim God's promises and the bravery to believe revelation even when reason abandons you" Jennifer Rothschild

I am so thankful for heroes of the faith. I am so thankful for all of you who continue to pray and bless our family with meals and cards and gifts. I am thankful for the good that God has brought from this and all the things that he has taught me and my family. I pray that I will remain faithful and will apply all that he has taught me.

Celebration week

When going to church today, Bennett asked with excitement, "Mommy's coming too?!" It expressed the hesitant sort of excitement we've felt during our whole celebration week. Rhonda continues to do some seven month firsts (a visit to Sunday school, a trip to take a gift to a neighbor, a drive to a restaurant, etc.). In fact, her first trip in seven months to Dollar General for one item took so long (45 minutes--it's 3 minutes from our house), I almost went to look for her. She said she just go carried away with being in a store again (and bought a few other things).

She still has to watch herself. Her Monday taking care of the boys for 5 hours took it out of her. She then had to spend the next day spending significant time in bed to recover. At those times, I feel the old fear and frustration returning. Fortunately, this was the only significant set-back during the week. I can certainly feel the weight of the last seven months starting to lift a bit with her progress. Even doing the laundry and grocery shopping doesn't feel so draining.

The kids are also excited about the changes. Rhonda lifted Cody out of our bathtub to our bedroom and he exclaimed, "Mommy, you can carry me again!"

One of the best parts of celebration week actually occurred the Friday night before it started. Bennett told us that he "wanted to ask Jesus into his heart." Cody has always been the one of the two to vocalize deeper theological questions (this week it was--"Why did God make mean, meat-eating dinasaurs?"). Bennett, however, has really started to show some wonderful understanding of deeper spiritual issues--it is the real reason we named this week as celebration week.

To end our celebration week (spring break), we brought out our goblets and toasted with Dr. Pepper and 7Up. Cody showed the most originality with toasts to his "sweet mommy" and Daddy "for bringing Burger King." Aside--Thanks so much for the multiple suprise gifts from distant friends and relatives for meals. They've come at a great time and have really allowed us to celebrate Rhonda's progress and enjoy a less stressful spring break.

As always, thanks so much for your prayers and support. Going back out into "normal life" again produces a different sort of emotional rollar coaster. Rhonda said that she has some of the same feelings that she had when she returned from her various mission trips to Russia. It's almost like she's going through "reentry" of a different sort. We would appreciate your prayers for us during this time of hope and transition.

Steps forward

We've enjoyed what feels like some steps forward this week (instead of the inches). Rhonda is now driving and taking some short trips on her own. In addition, we went out to eat as a family again and went to church together for the first time in six months. She's also able to read a bit more. Overall, knowing that her nerves are healthy has really helped Rhonda feel like she can be more aggressive with her activity. Still, she still needs times of rest after extensive activity. We're also doing our best to avoid stress.

It also feels weird to have some of the stress from the last six months start to lift (it also helps that the boys are healthy). We've declared spring break as "celebration week." We feel like we have plenty to celebrate. Even the kids are asking some great spiritual questions. Rhonda and I talked last night about how it almost seems like the past six months have been a time of spiritual growth in their lives. Again, thanks to everyone for all your support and prayers this past week. Your loving witness has also made a difference in their lives as well.

A very good doctor's visit

Today, we had a very good visit with a neurologist with Scott and White who specializes in nerve testing. He confirmed two things. He confirmed Rhonda's initial diagnosis of Guillian Barre and the fact that she does not have the chronic version (CIDP). The nerve conduction tests showed that she does not have permament nerve damage. In addition, he helped cleared up some of our questions or reminded us of things we needed to remember. For example, the question in my last blog was why Rhonda still had GB symptoms if the neurological tests indicated no nerve damage. He noted that GB patients will still have the symptoms of GB even if nerve conduction tests show there is no damage. After all, she is likely still fighting the triggering agents (which can be either virus or bacteria) that cause one's immune systems to attack and demylenate the nerves.

Additional blood tests we received back this week have also helped reinforce this point. Although blood tests cannot be used to diagnose GB, they do detect the antibodies to the microorganisms that trigger GB. Although we (or maybe I) intially thought the triggering agent may have come from the bacteria associated with food poisening (campylobacter jejuni), blood tests have shown that Rhonda has exceptionally high levels (more than 15 times normal) of antibodies associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (the virus that causes mono but is also a triggering agent for GB).

The doctor today also reminded us that GB recovery takes a long time (often 6 months to 3 years) and that we should continue to remain patient. Her body is likely still fighting the triggering agent and her immune system is still healing. We're only at the 6 month mark. He also said something that I had read in neurology journal survey studies of GB patients, but it was good to hear again. In a significant minority of GB patients, there will be some symptoms from GB that one must continue to battle for some time (and for some--through life), but this does not mean a person has CIDP (the chronic form of GB).

Overall, we drove home feeling like we had some clear answers and direction regarding the treatement of her GB symptoms. Of course, we still have some questions about her eye and headache problems, although the doctor did offer two thoughts about her headaces. He has seen cases of GB that do have these type of headache problems. In addition, he also notes that IVG treatments can also add to headache problems. Rhonda will see an eye doctor again on Monday to explore the eye issues further. As always, thanks for your prayers through this while time. We continue to pray for complete healing and recovery.

Actually, I have also neglected some good news. Rhonda has been walking more this past week, and she has started driving for short trips again. We're thankful that she's showing some progress (especially with regard to her legs and her strength).